FRIDAY DECEMBER 14, 2012
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NATIONAL / WORLD

TURKEY— The U.S. has agreed to send 400 troops and two batteries of Patriot missiles to Turkey. The Pentagon says it's part of a NATO force meants to protect Turkish territory from potential Syrian missile attacks. NATO foreign ministers endorsed Turkey's request for the Patriots on Nov. 30.
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WASHINGTON,DC-- United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice has withdrawn her name from consideration to replace outgoing Hillary Clinton. Reports say Rice could be Obama's next pick for national security adviser.
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INDIANA-- A couple of big retail giants are said to be among the bidders for assets being sold by Hostess Brands. Reports say there are about two dozen bidders including Walmart and Kroger in the liquidation sale that could generate around one-billion dollars. The maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread went out of business-citing an ongoing strike leaving thousands without a job including more than 800 in Indiana.
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The number of homes repossessed in the United States hit a nine-month high in November. According to Realty Trac, banks completed foreclosure on more than 59 thousand homes last month. That's an increase of 11 percent from October and up 5 percent from November 2011.
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It was quite thee show...The Geminid meteor shower was at its most spectaculor moment Thursday night and even late this morning. Experts say there was up to 80 "shooting stars" visible per hour.
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FAITH

MARYLAND-- Imagine your child having to scan their fingerprints everywhere they go on school grounds. That's what was happening at a Maryland school district, but they have suspended it after receiving pressure from the public and a civil liberties group. School officials say the biometric scanners easily identify students using physical characteristics. More than 50 schools in the country use biometirc scanners.
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STATE/REGIONAL

INDIANA-- If you need anything from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, don't wait until last minute. Brach offices will close December 22nd, December 24th, and 25th for the Christmas holiday. Business will resume with normal hours December 26th.
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WEST LAFAYETTE-- Purdue‘s trustees will approve Mitch Daniels‘s contract to be the next university president Saturday. He has asked for a largely performance-based contract ever since he was elected the school‘s next president by the trustees in June. Daniels will take over after January 14th.
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INDIANAPOLIS-- Something new is coming to the Indiana State Fair next summer. It‘s called "Kiddieland." Executive Director, Cindy Hoye, says it‘ll be an entirely separate midway for the little ones. "This would be a place specifically focused on families and children who want to ride the rides and maybe get overwhelmed in the big midway so it‘s really a dedicated space for families to enjoy." Hoye says North American Midway Entertainment Group is underwriting the entire cost.
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NORTHERN INDIANA/SOUTHWEST MI, (MICHIANA)

MISHAWAKA-- As of January 1st, 400 workers of AM General will be without a job. The company told workers this morning at its military assembly plant in Mishawaka, that they are loosing their jobs until March. A spokesman says the layoff comes after a delay with a new international contract. AM General laid off wokers in September as well.
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SOUTH BEND-- South Bend's next police chief will be from out of town. South Bend Mayor, Pete Buttigieg has chosen three finalist-s for the South Bend police chief position. Buttigieg says he will announce the new leader after meeting individually with the 3 highly-qualified cadidates.
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NORTH WEBSTER-- Two adults and a juvenile were arrested Thursday morning, after allegedly breaking into more than 15 cars overnight near North Webster. The three men are facing preliminary charges of felony theft. Police say cell phones, GPS devices and power tools are among the items that were stolen.
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LAPORTE-- A LaPorte County jail officer is behind bars for burglary. Officials with the LaPorte County Sheriff‘s Office say 33-year Brandon Walker was arrested after being called to the residence twice in one day.. he is now awaiting an initial hearing on December 20th.
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FORT WAYNE-- A Fort Wayne company secured a multi-million dollar contract with the U.S. Army on Thursday. Raytheon will provide radio system components to the Department of Defense for 14 million dollars through October 2015.
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NORTHCENTRAL INDIANA

WASHINGTON D.C.-- Investigators have released early findings in this month‘s fatal plane crash in Greensburg. The report says investigators have found that the weather is to blame since they did not find anything wrong with the plane or its engine. Four adults lost their lives in the crash.
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LONGANSPORT-- The recently banned left-hand turn from U.S. 24 onto Logansport Road has been lifted. The elimination of the left-hand turn came as a result of a study by INDOT engineers. State police have previously said the lane was eliminated for safety purposes and they have worked a few fatal crash at the intersection.
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SPORTS

INDIANAPOLIS-- A one-year extension of the Indiana Pacers‘ lease on Bankers Life Fieldhouse is now official. The Marion County Convention has given the final approval to the extension. Because the authority is the issuer of the bonds which built the arena, it‘s legally required to give a green light to the extension. The deal keeps the Pacers in Indianapolis through the end of next season.
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ROME, GA) - The Marian University football team won the N-A-I-A Championship Thursday night. The team defeated Morningside College from Iowa in overtime 30-27 to win their first national title. It‘s Marian‘s first national title in the six-year history of the team.
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WEATHER

South Bend / Elkhart / Goshen:
Today ... Sunny, with a high near 46. Saturday ... a few showers here and there.. near 47. And Sunday ... rain early in the morning. Cloudy, with a high near 50.

Kokomo / Walton / Cass:
Today ... Sunny, with a high near 48. Saturday ... Rain. High near 49. Sunday ... A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51.
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